I understand this. It's just that absolute non religious society is not possible, and western world has christian roots still. My 2 cents, own it and say it upfront: 90% secular, except for a few exception. Also I find hijab to be a lot more invasive than most inherited clothing. I can accept that this is just my subjective perception but it still catches my attention more than others (christian or not)
French Canadians really are a breed apart. If you've only been to Montreal, you might not believe it, but the rest of the province is still kind of a time capsule. They are still very Catholic, very French, and not particularly interested in changing.
I don’t think the part about being very Catholic and very French* is true at all. Churches are dying all over the province.
But you’re right in that the Quebec outside of Montreal is _very_ different. Much more conservative.
* Unless by that you mean they speak French, which is very much true. But calling quebecers “French” is akin to calling Americans “British”. They’re not the same at all despite a common language.
Yeah, sorry, what I'm trying to say doesn't translate unless you are from Maine or maybe northern NH or Vermont. If you say French there, it is understood as Quebecois, not European French. And Quebecois are very distinctive, almost stereotypical.